Former EastEnders actors Danielle Harold and Max Bowden were romantically involved for years while working together on the BBC soap,
but they managed to keep their relationship out of the public eye.
The pair, who played Lola Pearce and Ben Mitchell, shared an on-screen connection as co-parents to their daughter Lexi.
However, their off-screen bond was much deeper, as sources have now revealed that they were in a long-term secret relationship.
Despite their close connection, things between them eventually came to an end, and it seems their breakup was not entirely amicable.
A Hidden Romance Behind the Scenes
Danielle, 32, and Max, 30, were a couple for several years, though they chose to keep their relationship private. While their romance was well-known among the EastEnders cast and crew, the actors never made their relationship public.
“Danielle and Max dated for a number of years,” an insider revealed. “Everyone at EastEnders knew about them and thought they were sweet together.”
However, it appears their romance didn’t end on good terms. Speculation arose when fans noticed that the two had unfollowed each other on Instagram. Their decision to cut ties on social media suggested a fallout, leaving many wondering what had gone wrong.
According to sources close to the former couple, the breakdown of their relationship has caused lingering tension. “There are a lot of emotions involved,” the source continued. “They were not just co-stars but close friends and romantic partners for a long time.”
Life After EastEnders
Danielle Harold departed EastEnders in 2023 after her character, Lola Pearce, tragically died from a brain tumor. Her final storyline was heartbreaking, with Lola leaving behind her husband, Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), and their daughter, Lexi.
Following her exit from the soap, Danielle quickly became a household name beyond Albert Square. She participated in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and later took part in Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity Hunted.
Meanwhile, Max Bowden continued on EastEnders until 2024, when his character Ben Mitchell was written out of the show. Ben’s departure saw him being sent to prison in the United States for credit card fraud while researching medical treatments for Lola.
Bowden first stepped into the role of Ben Mitchell in 2019, becoming the sixth actor to portray Phil Mitchell’s son. During his time on the soap, he was involved in some of its most gripping and emotional storylines, including a male rape plot and Ben’s battle with bulimia.
Despite their split, Max had nothing but praise for Danielle after her exit from EastEnders. He posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, saying:
“Our girl. What you have achieved in the last twelve months is extraordinary. My whole EastEnders journey started with you, and what a ride it’s been.”
“Watching you work so closely every day has been inspiring, but it hasn’t quite topped being your friend. You’ve been there for all of us when we’ve needed a friend, and for that, I can only thank you.”
Danielle and Max’s Friendship on Screen and Off
Despite their off-screen romance, Danielle and Max always maintained a strong professional relationship. They even took part in Celebrity Antiques Road Trip together, with their episode airing on Valentine’s Day.
During an interview to promote the show, Danielle spoke about her bond with Max, saying:
“It’s nice to do something fun. With EastEnders, our storylines are really heavy and really sad.”
When an antiques expert on the show commented on the chemistry between the two actors, Danielle responded playfully:
“Yeah, there is. He loves me really. He pretends like he don’t, but he does.”
Max echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging the close bond they developed while working together on intense storylines.
“We did some really dark and beautiful storylines together, so we’ve spent a lot of time in each other’s pockets, which is why we’re so comfortable with each other.”
Max Bowden’s Past Relationships
Away from EastEnders, Max Bowden’s love life has often been the subject of headlines.
Before his relationship with Danielle, he was in a long-term relationship with Roisin Buckle, an insurance executive. The couple split in 2022 despite expecting a child together. Their son, Reginald, was born in September of that year, and they have since agreed to co-parent.
Max also briefly dated EastEnders actress Shona McGarty, known for playing Whitney Dean. Their romance lasted around six months before they called it quits.
In addition, Max was linked to Love Island star Olivia Hawkins, with reports suggesting they had a brief fling before she found fame on the ITV2 dating show. Olivia previously had a cameo appearance on EastEnders, and Max reportedly showed interest in her, liking a series of her Instagram posts before the two allegedly had a behind-the-scenes encounter.
A New Chapter for Both Actors
Now that both Danielle Harold and Max Bowden have moved on from EastEnders, fans are eager to see what’s next for them. While their off-screen romance may not have had a happy ending, their time on the soap left a lasting impact.
With Danielle continuing to make her mark on reality TV and Max exploring new opportunities post-EastEnders, the former co-stars are embarking on different paths. However, their years of working together—both as co-stars and as a couple—will remain a significant part of their journeys.
As for their friendship, only time will tell if they will be able to reconnect, or if their social media unfollowing is a sign that their chapter together has truly closed for good.
Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.
